Archive for March, 2014

At Camelback Ranch, the spring training home of the Los Angles Dodgers, the media was buzzing about Hanley Ramirez becoming a free agent after this season. On the heels of his spectacular performance last season, Fox Sports 1 reporter Jon Paul Merosi didn’t hesitate to ask Ramirez if he was interested in moving cross country to replace Derek Jeter as shortstop of the New York Yankees. Ramirez “Dodged” that question, but owner Ned Colletti weighed in saying that Jeter had such a big role in New York and that could not be filled by just one person. Coach Don Mattingly also provided an update on Matt Kemp’s status after he sustained injuries to both his shoulder and ankle. The two time All-star is reportedly swinging the bat well and ultimately looks healthy and ready for the season. The clubhouse was booming with positive energy as the team is eager to begin the season.
-written by ASU intern Samantha Koukoulas

The ESPN Bus Tour made its last stop in Peoria, Arizona to visit the Seattle Mariners. While the bus was not greeted by pristine desert conditions, this hardly deterred the crew as they braved the torrential dounpour and were ready to set up at 5:00 am. The desk, lights and cameras were dry and ready for live shots throughout the morning, along with pre-taped segments and tape feeds. Sat West’s satellite truck was on hand to uplink the live feed and facilitate the tape feeds to ESPN’s headquarters in Connecticut. The most anticipated interview of the day was with Robinson Cano, who made the leap from the New York Yankees to Seattle in the biggest move of the offseason.
-written by ASU intern Samantha Koukoulas

Satelink West is working a backhaul job today for the Los Angeles Angels and Milwaukee Brewers spring training game today in Phoenix. What is a backhaul? To put it simply, getting data to a point from which it can be distributed over a network in the satellite communication world. Parked right outside of Gate B lies our satellite truck hooked up to the broadcast feed coming from the stadium, through the production truck to our uplink truck. From there we split it into a primary and back-up feed. The primary feed is sent to the television network that is broadcasting the game via satellite and the backup remains in the truck on standby in the event of a problem. The crew hooks up and tests everything four hours before game time to ensure all of the moving pieces are working flawlessly.
– written by ASU intern Sydney Schuman